Corset



Oct. 1, 1940;

M. L. JACKS CORSET 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 3, 1937 06L 1,. 1940. L,JACKS 2,216,270

CORSET.

Filed Nov. 3; 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Get. 1, 1940 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE Application November 3, 1937, Serial No. 172,596 In GreatBritain August 30, 1937 3 Claims.

This invention relates to corsets such as are intended for maternitywear. I

The object of the invention is to provide a corset which is suitableforuse for maternity wear, which offers all the necessary adjustments,and which moreover can be removed when required without the necessity ofaltering a previous adjustment of the corset but merely by the act ofopening a slit in the body part of the corset the effect of which is toloosen the corset upon the wearer such that it can be removed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a corsetin accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a similar view but showingthe front of the corset partly turned over to reveal a portion of theback and having the bottom portion of the corset broken away, and

Figure 3 is a similar broken away view looking on the inside of the backof the corset.

According to one form of the invention as illustrated in the drawings amaternity corset which is relatively deep for the purpose of providingadequate support for the abdomen has its front portion formed by anupper part I which, in

depth, extends from the top edge of the corset to, approximately,two-thirds the depth of the corset and by a divided bottom part 2 which,in depth, extends substantially for the remainder of the depth of thecorset, this bottom part being constituted by a pair of flaps which areformed from elastic material, so that the flaps are extendible as tolength and which are secured to the opposite edge portions of the sideand back 3 of the corset, as by stitching. The adjacent free edges 4 ofthe flaps are connected together by a lacing 5, and these edges areprovided with eyelet holes for the passage of the lacing and the lacingprovides additional means for adjustment of the effective length of theflaps. The upper part I of the front of the corset is preferably formedfrom non-elastic material and is secured along its longitudinal edges tothe opposite edges of the remainder 3 of the corset by lacings 6, theadjacent edges being provided with eyelet holes for the passage of thelaces. The centre of the upper front piece I is separable by a slitextending from the top edge thereof downwardly to a point approximately,two-thirds of its depth, and the split is fitted with an interlockingslider type fastener 1 whereby this slit may be opened or closed atwill. The arrangement enables the corset to be removed without thenecessity of disturbing the setting of the side laces 6 since opening ofthe slit provides for an increase in the circumference of the upper partof the corset sufficient to enable the corset to be removed. The sideedges of the top part I and the adjacent edges of the remainder of thecorset, which receive the laces just mentioned, may conveniently have aninsert 5 piece Ill secured therebetween which serves as a backing forthe lacing and eyelet holes, this insert piece being of such width thatit is adaptable to a fully expanded condition of the corset as aconsequence of adjustment of the side laces 6. 10 The sliding fasteneris also conveniently provided with a backing 8 constituted by a flapsecured to the rear of one edge which constitutes the slit. In order tomaintain thefree edge portion of this flap 8 in position and to preventruckling thereof 15 the latter may be fitted with an eye 9 on its frontsurface for the reception of a hook I0 carried at the free end of anelastic or other strap I I. When the strap is secured in position, itextends transversely between the flap and the lateral edge of thedivided portion of the front part which is opposite the edge thereof towhich the flap is secured, and the opposite end of the strap is securedto this edge. The backing for the sliding fastener constituted by thisflap may conveniently be provided on its rear surface with velvet orother soft finish material and similar soft insertions may be providedas backings for longitudinal stiffeners I2 which are provided in theback portion of the corset. 30

A further corset according to the invention is of similar constructionto the corset above described but is formed from interwoven elasticthread so that the material of the corset resembles a closely woven netmaterial. The back portion 35 of the corset, and also the front flaps,are allowed to retain their elasticity circumferentially but the upperfront part is rendered inelastic by the se-- curing of an inelasticbacking thereto.

It is to be understood, however, that the inven- 40 tion is not limitedto the use of any particular material for the construction of the corsetsince silk, satin and other materials may be employed.

A corset in accordance with the invention may have its front constitutedonly by a single piece, corresponding to the upper front part abovementioned, which front part is secured along its longitudinal edges tothe adjacent edges of the remainder of the corset by laces and also hasa central longitudinal slit containing an interlock- 50 ing slider typefastener.

In any form of the invention the slit above referred to may be disposedotherwise than centrally upon the front of the corset so long asprovision is made for increasing the opening at the 55 top of the corsetto enable the corset to be removed without the necessity of looseningthe side laces.

A corset constructed as above may, if desired, be provided at the centreof the back of the corset and on the inside thereof with a pad l3 whichmay conveniently have longitudinal stiiiening strips [4 enclosedtherein, and which pad offers a certain amount of additional support tothe back of the wearer while relieving the back of the direct pressureof the stiffeners due to the presence of the pad, which is composed ofsome soft substance and may extend approximately half way down the backof the corset from the top thereof. The stiffeners when present in thepad (which may be secured to the corset by stitching, for example) maybe additional to stifieners provided in the back of the corset, andcorsetry constructed in accordance with the invention may have the padomitted therefrom if desired.

I claim:

l. A maternity corset comprising in combination, a part adapted toembrace a portion of the back and the sides of the wearer, a compositefront part adapted to afford support for the abdomen and comprising anupper part having a central longitudinal slit extending from andincluding the upper edge thereof and a lower part in the form of a pairof flaps each secured only to the front edge of each said combined backand side supporting part, adjustable means for connecting the contiguousedges of the said flaps, adjustable means connecting the outerlongitudinal edges of the upper front part With the adjacentlongitudinal edges of the said combined side and back supporting part,and means for closing and opening the said slit at will.

2. A maternity corset comprising in combination, a part adapted toembrace a portion of the back and the sides of the wearer, a compositefront part providing a support for the abdomen including an upper parthaving a longitudinal slit extending downwardly from the upper edgethereof and a lower part in the form of a pair of elastic flapsstretchable in directions circumferentially of the wearer, each of saidflaps being permanently secured to a front edge only of said combinedback and side part, adjustable means connecting the contiguous edges ofsaid flaps, adjustable means connecting the outer longitudinal edges ofthe upper front part with the adjacent longitudinal edges of thecombined side and back part, and means for closing and opening saidslit.

3. ,A maternity corset comprising in combination, a part adapted toembrace a portion of the back and sides of the wearer, a composite frontpart providing a support for the abdomen including an upper part havinga central longitudinal slit extending downwardly from the upper edgethereof and a lower part in the form of elastic flaps stretchable indirections circumferentially of the wearer, one flap being stitched toeach front edge of the combined back and side part, a non-stretchablelacing connecting the contiguous edges of the flaps, lacings connectingthe outer longitudinal edges of the upper front part with the adjacentlongitudinal edges of the combined side and back part, and means forclosing and opening said slit.

MARIAN LAVINGTON JACKS.

